Porsche’s upcoming all-electric Cayenne has begun to make headlines even before its official debut, as the German marque puts a near-production prototype through its paces in a series of global tests. The new SUV is currently undergoing fine-tuning and validation, but already it has demonstrated record-setting performance and remarkable day-to-day usability in a string of early public appearances.
One of the most striking showcases took place at the historic Shelsley Walsh hill climb in England. There, as part of a film production, Porsche sent its camouflaged electric SUV up the narrow and demanding course, where it went on to break the previous record for a sport utility vehicle by more than four seconds. Gabriela Jílková, a simulator and development driver with the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, piloted the vehicle up the 914-metre course, which features gradients of up to 16.7 per cent and is just 3.5 metres wide at certain points. On her first attempt, she completed the climb in 31.28 seconds, setting a new benchmark for SUVs at the century-old motorsport venue.
Jílková noted that despite the unforgiving nature of the course—with minimal room for error and no run-off zones—the prototype’s advanced chassis and suspension provided outstanding stability and responsiveness. Her confidence in the vehicle’s handling, even under extreme conditions, underscored the dynamic capability Porsche is building into its electric Cayenne.
The record-breaking prototype was equipped with Porsche Active Ride, the brand’s new adaptive chassis system. Designed to keep the vehicle level under all driving conditions—be it braking, cornering or acceleration—this system ensures a consistent and confident connection to the road. Michael Schätzle, Vice President of the Cayenne product line, explained that this technology significantly broadens the spectrum between ride comfort and performance, a hallmark of the new model’s engineering philosophy.
Performance figures from the run were impressive beyond the overall time. The Cayenne Electric accelerated past the 60-foot mark in just 1.94 seconds, a figure comparable to purpose-built single-seater racing cars running on slick tyres. Notably, the prototype achieved this feat on regular summer tyres, highlighting the raw acceleration of Porsche’s electrified platform. Schätzle confirmed that while final tuning is still underway, the powertrain and mechanical setup of the hill climb vehicle were already at production-level specification.
Alongside its dynamic demonstration, Porsche used the opportunity to showcase the SUV’s practicality. British TV personality Richard Hammond featured the prototype in a film segment that involved towing a vintage vehicle over 100 years old from Hereford to his garage. The Cayenne Electric, despite hauling a trailer with a combined weight of approximately three tonnes, managed the task with ease. Hammond remarked on the vehicle’s effortless towing performance, a testament to its robust design and power delivery.
In keeping with this usability focus, Porsche has engineered the Cayenne Electric to be as capable as its combustion-engined counterparts in terms of utility. The electric model is expected to be among the first battery-electric vehicles globally to receive certification for a towing capacity of up to 3,500kg, depending on the variant. This includes the structural integrity, drivetrain durability and thermal management required for such demanding tasks.
According to Schätzle, Porsche remains committed to offering internal combustion and hybrid Cayenne models well into the next decade. Nevertheless, he emphasised that the exceptional performance displayed in England was achievable only through electrification. The Cayenne Electric, he said, is poised to redefine standards in the high-performance SUV segment, combining cutting-edge propulsion with the practical features customers expect from the brand.
Porsche plans to present the prototype to the public once more at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed, set to take place from 10 to 13 July 2025. With its bold camouflage livery and proven performance credentials, the Cayenne Electric is expected to draw significant attention at the event, offering another glimpse of what the future holds for Porsche’s electrified lineup.
